​Hi everyone, my name is Lauran and I’ll be taking over the Rottweiler Club Blog, so if you are a member of the Club and there is anything you want included please feel free to contact me by email lauran_wheaton@hotmail.com or add me to Facebook.

I’ll start by telling you a little about myself; I have owned Rottweilers for over 10 years now, which is pretty much my entire adult life. I have had both dogs and bitches, personally I prefer the boys… much less hassle. You might not recognise me because I don’t show very often, just a couple of shows a year with my bitch, Indi. I also have Dalmatians, who I show much more regularly, so you may see me about the shows being towed around by a manic spotted creature. I’ve been on the Rottweiler Club committee for around two years now. I do judge the breed as well and I am on the Breed Council Breed Specialist C List. I also judge several other breeds in the Working, Pastoral and Utility Groups, I am on some B lists as well as C lists for various breed clubs. I am a registered Canine Hydrotherapist and I have treated well over one hundred Rottweilers for various health issues as well as fitness.

So enough about me and onto the news for June. There have been four general Champ shows this month; Southern Counties, Three Counties, Border Union and Blackpool. Obviously Windsor is just squeezing into June but I’ll discuss that next time. Our members have done very well at these shows. At Southern Counties the breed was judged by Dr Annukka Paloheimo from Finland. Best of Breed went to “Tate” CH Fantasa Smirnoff Cosmo (CH Minaelea’s Black Mambo JW AW13 x CH Fantasa Smirnoff Ice) who is bred and co-owned by our Vice President, Liz Dunhill. Three Counties saw more success for Liz and her daughter, Michaela, this time with their American import “Elmo” CH Cammcastle’s Quarterback Fantasa (IMP USA) (Big Beach’s Rhumba Man x Cammcastle’s Darling Greta) who won Best of Breed under Peter Jolley and then took the Working Group under Robin Newhouse. This makes Elmo the very first American Rottweiler to ever win a Group at Championship level. There was further success, at this show, for our members with Mr and Mrs Allen’s “Mable” Jodipas Time JW ShCM (CH Ronmal Diesel's Destiny x CH Jodipas Time Square) taking the Bitch ticket opposite Elmo. No major wins for our members at Border Union which was judged by Alistair Baillie (Stairvale). Finally, at Blackpool, Elmo was back in action winning Best of Breed under Keith Nathan and then again taking the Group, this time under Frank Kane. The Bitch ticket went to Glynn Mulhall with “Gala” Just Ask Grace O’Shea (IMP SWE) (Neeco Von Der Alten Festung x Just Ask Carla) who also happens to be our DOTY representative for 2018. Congratulations to all our members for their fantastic results.

Coming up next month is; Windsor on the 30th June being judged by Kay Brawn; East of England on the 8th July where the judge is Nan Keenan; National Working and Pastoral on the 14th judged by Joe Smith; The British Rottweiler Association on the 21st where the judge is Norma Window; and Leeds on the 29th under Ernie Paterson. Good luck to all our members.

As we are in the middle of a heat wave I would just like to draw attention to health of your dogs during the hot weather. Being large, black and double coated, Rottweilers are susceptible to heat stroke. It only takes an increase of 2 degrees for dogs to start to suffer the effects as they cannot sweat like us, at 43 degree centigrade a dog’s organs begin to fail. The symptoms of heat stroke are; high body temperature, glassy eyes, heavy panting, excessive drooling, red or purple tongue and gums, vomiting, collapsing, racing heart and seizures. The best way to protect your dogs against heat stroke is to restrict exercise, never ever leave them in a car or hot room like a conservatory, always provide drinking water and shady spots, walk early in the morning or late in the evening and spray (don’t douse) them with cool water. If you are concerned your dog has heat stroke contact your vet immediately, move them somewhere cool, offer them tepid water in small amounts, use wet towels but do not pour cold water directly onto the dog and place them in the breeze of a fan. Also if your dog is very young, old or unwell or overweight, they are more at risk. Remember only half of dogs that are diagnosed with heat stroke survive, it’s just not worth it.

Don’t forget if you want me to add anything into this blog, please let me know using my email above or my Facebook, I’m very friendly so don’t be scared! Have a lovely month everyone xxx